Internship Information for Employers

Most Human Resource Professionals can use an extra hand to get some key functions completed within the HR department.  Many professionals have turned to using college interns to help on an interim basis. 

The following are frequently asked questions for employers:

What time of year can I get an HR intern?
Interns are available throughout the academic year and the summer. 

Does my company have to develop a formalized internship program?
You do not need to have a formalized internship program or be a large HR department in order to hire an HR intern.  Students benefit from a variety of experiences.  College professors and college internship coordinators can help you determine how to utilize an HR intern.

Do I have to pay the intern?
There are both paid and unpaid internships available.  If nonpaid many employers offer a stipend for gas or parking.  If paid, the current common rate for undergrads is $10-13 per hour and graduate students $13-16 per hour.

How do I get started in hiring the intern?
You can post your internship need on the TCHRA web page.  If you want to work with a particular college, you can contact the college directly.

How many hours does a typical intern work?
The hours depend on the paid vs. unpaid status and if the college student is currently taking a full load of classes or not.  Some interns work 5-10 hours week and some work 40 hours per week.  The hours are worked out between the intern and the employer.  Some college programs require a minimum amount of hours in a semester in order to earn college credits.

Besides offering the intern the work experience, what else do I need to do?
Many colleges ask the employer to conduct a written evaluation of the student at the midterm and the end of the semester.  Some colleges also ask for a brief signed document to communicate the areas in which the student intern will get HR exposure.  The employer should be committed to giving the intern as much HR experience as possible.